We commute by cars and airplanes, communicate by emails and mobile phones. Air conditioners and room heaters keep our life comfortable. However, with advancements in technology, it also brings a more hectic pace of life. This is definitely detrimental to our well-being, defined to be the state of being healthy and happy. I feel that while technology has contributed a great deal to man’s standard of living, it has, to a small extent, contributed to the well-being of man as the rapid developments of technology have instilled in man to be materialistic and actually lowered man’s quality of life.

With quantum leaps in technology nowadays, a large group of people have become more materialistic, giving rise to selfishness, competition, distrust and exploitation. While many modern youngsters often talk about romantic and true love, reality is harsh. Technologies such as CCTV, tapping devices are often used to track spouses suspected of having an affair. Similarly, there are “office politics” in companies and employees scheme against each other in a bid to earn promotion. In this world of great technological advancements, there are also much deceptions and frauds among people, unable to learn from our ancestors who treat one another with sincerity and respect. Does a better well-being of man comprises of being alienated and suspicious, constantly looking out for those who may try to backstab? Technology may bring comfort, but the high-speed technology-centered lifestyles of modern man take away the peace of mind necessary to enjoy the comforts. A software engineer may have an air conditioner in his office, but he will still sweat due to tension and stress. Thus technology makes us comfortably miserable and in no way improve our well-being.

Breakthroughs in medical technology may have eradicated illnesses and offered cures and vaccines, saving us the torment of several diseases. But there are more people need medical attention today than in the past due to unhealthy congested city living and polluted air, water and food. A greater number of hospitals is a sign, not of better healthcare but of worse health. Insomnia is a problem that plagues many modern people. However, can technology contribute to the well-being of man if it makes man struggle to get the simple and essential pleasure of sleeping, a pleasure that our ancestors obtain effortlessly? Hence, it further shows the detrimental effects technology has caused to the general well-being and spiritual development of man.

However technology does contribute to the well-being of man. With technology, complex machines are invented, increasing the efficiency of work done. Factory machines help speed up the process of production and ensure little errors. The invention of cars and aircrafts have brought much convenience to man, enabling them to travel distances within short periods of time. With the invention of computers and Internet, man is also able to spread joyful moments in their life with friends, relatives and even strangers. This allows spreading of happiness, making the world a better place to live in and making lives more joyous. Hence with the aid of technology, happiness could be spread and tasks could be completed more efficiently, allowing humans to not work as hard as their ancestors, allowing them to relax and not be stressed, improving the well-being of man.

In conclusion, while it is an undeniable fact that technology has brought benefits to mankind, these benefits are mostly materialistic. Technology has caused man to be competitive, jealous and suspicious, and brilliant inventions were used as a tool of their jealousy and suspicion. Also, with the hectic lifestyle that follows technological advancements, the basic pleasures of life seem to be unattainable. Nonetheless, I do not deny that technology has indeed contributed in the improvement of the well-being of man. Therefore, technology has only contributed to a small extent to the well-being of man.